MLB: Phillies grab Carrera, designate Inciarte

ATLANTA — The Phillies expect to have Delmon Young in right field within a month and believe Darin Ruf is only some left-field polish away from getting a chance to help the big-league team. That, however, did not stop them from making an outfield upgrade Tuesday.

Ezequiel Carrera, a speedy 26-year-old outfielder caught in a numbers game in Cleveland, had been in limbo for nearly two weeks as the Indians tried to find a trade partner for his rights. However, time ran out and Carrera was placed on waivers, and when the Venezuelan got to the Phillies on the list, they grabbed him.

In order to make room for Carrera on the 25-man roster, the Phils designated for assignment Rule 5 draftee Ender Inciarte. In truth, Carrera is of a similar skill set to Inciarte, but four years further along the maturation process.

That skill set includes a great deal of speed — he stole 34 bases between Triple-A and the majors last season, and had 11 swipes in the Cactus League. Carrera also has versatility and range in the outfield, something the Phils need, particularly in center field.

Carrera hit .272 with 11 extra-base hits in 147 ABs for the Indians last season, but got caught in a squeeze when the Tribe traded for Drew Stubbs, then signed Michael Bourn late in the free-agency game. Carrera hit .279 in spring training and .286 in the Venezuelan Winter League, and although he doesn’t have a lot of pop, he is a contact hitter from the left side whose bat has progressed into big-league quality.

This move creates more of a threat to either John Mayberry Jr. or Laynce Nix, as someone has to go from the outfield when Young is ready for duty. Young played right field for the first time Tuesday in an extended spring game, as he continues to progress from offseason ankle surgery.

While it would seem Nix is more at risk, since the Phils are crowded with left-handed bats in the everyday lineup, Mayberry has Ruf serving as a threat in Triple-A. Both Mayberry and Nix had lackluster Grapefruit League efforts and can’t afford to have them spill too deep into April.

The Phillies will have to wait and see if Inciarte gets through waivers, at which point he would be offered back to the Diamondbacks for a fee. If they decline to accept the 22-year-old, the Phils can retain him and send him to the minors. However, the expectation is that Arizona will fork over the money and take the Venezuelan back into their system.